Shloka 16
वृत्ति-सत्सङ्ग-दान-धर्म
Livelihood, Virtuous Association, and Ethics of Giving
महाराज! अनेक रूप धारण करनेवाले भूत, महाभयंकर राक्षस, महाबली और बहुत- से रूप धारण करनेवाले पिशाच, जो महादेवजीके अनुचर थे, वहाँ हर्षमें भरकर नाना प्रकारके अस्त्र-शस्त्र लिये खड़े रहते थे। वे सब-के-सब अग्निके समान तेजस्वी थे ।।
mahārāja! aneka-rūpa-dhāraṇa-karṇe bhūtāḥ, mahābhayaṅkarā rākṣasāḥ, mahābalinaś ca bahu-rūpa-dhāriṇaḥ piśācāḥ—ye mahādevasya anucarā āsan—tatra harṣeṇa pūrṇā nānā-vidhāni astrāṇi śastrāṇi ca gṛhītvā tiṣṭhanti sma. te sarve agni-sadṛśa-tejasvinaḥ. nandī ca bhagavāṃs tatra devasyānumate sthitaḥ, pragr̥hya jvalitaṃ śūlaṃ dīpyamānaḥ sva-tejasā.
Sinabi ni Bhishma: “O dakilang hari, naroon at nakatindig, nag-uumapaw sa galak, ang mga espiritung maraming anyo—ang mga rakshasa na lubhang nakapanghihilakbot, at ang mga pishacha na makapangyarihan at nagbabagong-anyo—mga tagasunod ni Mahadeva, na may tangan-tangang sari-saring sandata. Ang bawat isa’y nagliliwanag na tila apoy. At naroon din si Nandi, ang pinagpala, na nakapuwesto roon sa pahintulot ng Panginoon, nakatindig na may hawak na naglalagablab na trisula, kumikislap sa sariling likas na ningning.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage underscores the majesty and protective power surrounding Mahādeva: divine order is upheld not only by gentle sanctity but also by formidable guardianship. It frames devotion and divine authority as accompanied by disciplined strength—radiant, armed, and sanctioned—suggesting that safeguarding dharma may require awe-inspiring force under rightful command.
Bhishma describes a scene where Śiva’s attendants—various supernatural beings—stand joyfully armed and blazing with fiery brilliance. Nandi, by Śiva’s permission, stands prominently holding a flaming trident, emphasizing the organized, sanctioned presence of Śiva’s powerful retinue.